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Ueda Castle

長野県

The 'impregnable' castle of Sanada legend that repelled Tokugawa armies twice — National Important Cultural Properties survive on-site.

Founded

1583

Type

Castle

Visited

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Access

About 12 min walk from JR Ueda Station

6263 Ninomaru, Ueda, Nagano

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Info

Castle

Founded 1583

443 years

Overview

An impregnable castle built by Sanada Masayuki that twice repelled Tokugawa armies. Famous as the stage of Sanada tactical genius.

Origins

Ueda Castle was built in 1583 by Sanada Masayuki. It repelled Tokugawa forces in the First Battle of Ueda (1585), making the Sanada famous. In the Second Battle (1600), it delayed Tokugawa Hidetada, causing him to miss Sekigahara. After Sekigahara, Masayuki and Nobushige were exiled to Kudoyama. Thr…

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Related Articles
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記

The Sanada Clan and Ueda Castle: The Fortress That Repelled Tokugawa Twice

An examination of Ueda Castle, stronghold of Sanada Masayuki and Yukimura, and the two battles in which they repelled the Tokugawa forces, based on primary sources.

era

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史
Related Historical Events
— 2

1585

第1次上田合戦

1585年（天正13年）、信濃国上田（現在の長野県上田市）において、真田昌幸率いる真田軍が徳川家康の命を受けた鳥居元忠・大久保忠世ら徳川軍を撃退した戦い。兵力で圧倒的に劣る真田軍が上田城を巧みに活用し、攻城戦で徳川軍に多大な損害を与えて撃退した。真田昌幸の智謀と上田城の堅固さを世に知らしめた戦いとして名高く、「日本一の兵（つわもの）」と称された真田氏の武名を高めた。家康はこの敗北を深く恥じたとされ、15年後の第2次上田合戦へとつながる因縁の始まりとなった。

1600

第2次上田合戦

1600年（慶長5年）、関ヶ原の戦いと同時期、真田昌幸・幸村（信繁）父子が徳川秀忠率いる徳川軍（約38,000）を上田城で足止めした戦い。昌幸は西軍（石田三成方）についていたため、東軍として関ヶ原に向かう秀忠軍は上田城攻略を試みた。しかし昌幸の巧みな守城戦に翻弄された秀忠軍は時間を浪費し、関ヶ原の本戦に遅参するという大失態を犯した。秀忠の遅参は家康の怒りを買ったが、幸い東軍が勝利したため大事には至らなかった。真田親子の武名を高めた伝説的な籠城戦として今も語り継がれている。

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Related Figures
— 3

Sanada Masayuki

Strategist of the Sanada Clan, Lord of Ueda Castle

Age 36 at founding

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Builder of Ueda Castle who defied Ieyasu and defeated 7,000 Tokugawa troops with just 1,200 men through ingenious traps and ambushes.

Sanada Yukimura

Japan's Greatest Warrior, Hero of the Osaka Campaign

Age 16 at founding

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Masayuki's second son. Joined his father in delaying Hidetada's 38,000 troops. Later built the Sanada-maru at Osaka, earning the title 'Japan's greatest warrior.'

Sanada Nobuyuki

Guardian of the Sanada

Age 17 at founding

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Masayuki's eldest son who struck the Tokugawa flank from Toishi Castle. Sided with Tokugawa at Sekigahara to preserve the Sanada clan.

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Visiting Information

Hours

The park itself is open 24 hours, free admission. The Ueda City Museum and turrets are open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM). Closed Wednesdays, the day after a public holiday, and Dec 29–Jan 3.

Admission

Turret admission: general ¥300, students ¥200, elementary/junior high ¥100. Combined museum + turret ticket: general ¥500, students ¥300, elementary/junior high ¥150.

As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.

Also Worth Visiting

上

Ueda Castle Ruins

The impregnable fortress where Masayuki's 1,200 men repelled 7,000 Tokugawa troops — twice.

Ancient shrine in Ueda with a venerable history tied to the origins of the place name "Shinano (Kano)"

1.5km

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